KEY POINTS:
Lethal rips, holes and trenches have emerged along the Bay of Plenty coastline - prompting lifeguards to warn thousands of people expected to hit the beach this weekend to swim between the flags.
Ten people were rescued from Mt Maunganui and Omanu beaches on Thursday and the area opposite Tay St is now deemed dangerous to swimmers and inexperienced surfers.
Head lifeguards at four of the Western Bay's patrolled beaches yesterday warned that many had developed holes, trenches and dangerous currents. They urged people to avoid areas that have been labelled for hazardous rips.
At 5pm on Thursday six people were caught in a rip near Tay St after they were seen by a lifeguard on a roaming patrol. They were rescued. Earlier in the afternoon, a lifeguard from Omanu swam out to rescue a swimmer in difficulty at Tay St.
Omanu patrol captain and head regional lifeguard Isaac Gilmour is advising surfers to avoid Tay St's artificial surf reef.
"There are big problem areas down there at the moment. I would say there are holes and rips every 500m or so. It's not very safe at all. There are so many it's ridiculous."
The conditions have forced surf lifesavers to set up a patrol at Tay St.
"This is the first surf we have had in a long time. I am guessing the rips and holes are appearing because there hasn't been enough time for enough solid banks to build up," said Mr Gilmour.
Ben Fuller, operations manager and lifeguard for Surf Life Saving Bay of Plenty, said there would be 10 to 12 lifeguards on patrol at the Western Bay's main beaches this weekend.
"We often get these kind of conditions after tropical cyclones, at this time of year."
Besides sticking to designated safe swimming areas, Mr Fuller said swimmers should use areas where the surf was breaking right to shore. Calm or lightly ruffled water usually indicated a rip or hole and should be avoided.
The most important thing to do if you became caught in a rip was to stay calm, he said. Alert lifeguards or other swimmers by waving your arms and calling for help. You could try to swim out of the rip.
"The best way ... is to swim parallel to the shore. But the biggest thing is don't panic," he said.
Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club member Lester Phelps said swimmers needed to be vigilant.
The rips were about half a metre either side of the clubrooms, he said. While the left-hand one was generally consistent, the right-hand changed in size and location.
He advised people to take a moment to watch the water before they went swimming.
Mr Phelps also said it was useful for people, children especially, to choose an obvious marker on the beach, such as an umbrella.
It was important to then stay in line with the chosen marker to ensure you did not drift into a rip.
MetService says the Western Bay will be in for some sunshine this weekend, with temperatures hovering in the mid-20s.
"It's looking pretty good. It's looking like fine weather into Monday and possibly even Tuesday," said forecaster Gerard Barrow. The UV index would be high and he advised people to seek shade between 11am and 4pm.
Rips
* Remain calm and don't panic.
* Tired swimmers or those with limited ability should ride out the rip.
* Float on your back and raise your arm to signal for assistance.
* If you are able, swim parallel to the shore for 30-40 metres.
* Return to the shore where the waves are breaking, parallel to the rip.
* Next time remember to swim between the flags.
Source: Surf Life Saving Bay of Plenty
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
